Tissue resecting device including a blade lock and release mechanism

ABSTRACT

An end effector assembly of a tissue resecting device and a tissue resecting device including the end effector assembly and a handpiece assembly. The end effector assembly including a proximal hub housing, an inner drive core at least partially disposed within the proximal hub housing, a cutting member extending distally from the proximal hub housing and engaged with the inner drive core such that rotation of the inner drive core rotates the cutting member, and a lock and release mechanism operably coupled between the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing. The lock and release mechanism is transitionable between a locked condition rotationally fixing the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing relative to one another thereby rotationally locking the cutting member, and a release condition enabling relative rotation between the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing thereby enabling rotation of the cutting member.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of tissueresection. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a tissueresecting device including a blade lock and release mechanism.

2. Background of Related Art

Tissue resection may be performed endoscopically within an organ, suchas a uterus, by inserting an endoscope (or hysteroscope) into the uterusand passing a tissue resection device through the endoscope (orhysteroscope) and into the uterus. With respect to such endoscopictissue resection procedures, it often is desirable to distend the uteruswith a fluid, for example, saline, sorbitol, or glycine. The inflow andoutflow of the fluid during the procedure maintains the uterus in adistended state and flushes tissue and other debris from within theuterus to maintain a visible working space.

SUMMARY

As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion that isdescribed which is further from a user, while the term “proximal” refersto the portion that is described which is closer to a user. Further, tothe extent consistent, any or all of the aspects described herein may beused in conjunction with any or all of the other aspects describedherein.

Provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is an endeffector assembly of a tissue resecting device. The end effectorassembly includes a proximal hub housing, an inner drive core at leastpartially disposed within the proximal hub housing, and a cutting memberextending distally from the proximal hub housing and engaged with theinner drive core such that rotation of the inner drive core rotates thecutting member. The end effector assembly further includes a lock andrelease mechanism operably coupled between the inner drive core and theproximal hub housing. The lock and release mechanism is transitionablebetween a locked condition rotationally fixing the inner drive core andthe proximal hub housing relative to one another thereby rotationallylocking the cutting member, and a release condition enabling relativerotation between the inner drive core and the proximal hub housingthereby enabling rotation of the cutting member.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the lock and release mechanismis biased towards the locked condition.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the end effector assemblyfurther includes an elongated outer shaft fixed relative to andextending distally from the proximal hub housing. The cutting member isreceived within the elongated outer shaft, rotationally fixed relativeto the elongated outer shaft in the locked condition, and rotatablerelative to the elongated outer shaft in the release condition.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the elongated outershaft defines an outer window and the cutting member defines a cuttingblade. In the locked condition, the cutting blade is inaccessiblethrough the outer window.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the lock and releasemechanism includes a first portion and a second portion rotationallyfixed relative to the first portion. In the in the locked condition, thefirst portion is rotationally fixed relative to the inner drive core andthe second portion is rotationally fixed relative to the proximal hubhousing. In the release condition, the first portion is rotatablerelative to the inner drive core or the second portion is rotatablerelative to the proximal hub housing.

In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the first portionincludes a first stop ring and the second portion includes a second stopring. The first stop ring or the second stop ring is movable relative tothe other to transition the lock and release mechanism between thelocked condition and the release condition.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the lock and releasemechanism further includes a biasing member disposed between the firstand second stop rings and configured to bias the lock and releasemechanism towards the locked condition.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the first stop ring,the second stop ring, and the biasing member are integrally formed as asingle piece.

In still another aspect of the preset disclosure, the lock and releasemechanism includes a lock bar rotationally fixed relative to the innerdrive core. The lock bar includes a first portion pivotable between afirst position, corresponding to the locked condition, wherein the firstportion engages the proximal hub housing in rotationally fixed relation,and a second position, corresponding to the release condition, whereinthe first portion is disengaged from the proximal hub housing.

A tissue resecting device provided in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure includes a handpiece assembly including a drive rotorand an end effector assembly according to any of the above aspects orother aspects detailed herein. Engagement of the end effector assemblywith the handpiece operably engages the drive rotor with the inner drivecore and transitions the lock and release mechanism from the lockedcondition to the release condition.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, engagement of the end effectorassembly with the handpiece urges a portion of the handpiece intocontact with one of a first portion or a second portion of the lock andrelease mechanism, thereby decoupling fixed rotation of the firstportion relative to the inner drive core or decoupling fixed rotation ofthe second portion relative to the proximal hub housing.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a first portion of the lockand release mechanism includes a first stop ring and a second portionincludes a second stop ring. In such aspects, engagement of the endeffector assembly with the handpiece urges the first stop ring relativeto the second stop ring, thereby decoupling the first stop ring fromfixed relation relative to the inner drive core.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the lock and releasemechanism further includes a biasing member disposed between the firstand second stop rings and configured to bias the first stop ring towardsa position establishing fixed rotational relation between the first stopring and the inner drive core.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the lock and releasemechanism includes a lock bar rotationally fixed relative to the innerdrive core. The lock bar includes a first portion pivotable between afirst position, corresponding to the locked condition, wherein the firstportion engages the proximal hub housing in rotationally fixed relation,and a second position, corresponding to the release condition, whereinthe first portion is disengaged from the proximal hub housing.

In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the lock barincludes a second portion. In such aspects, engagement of the endeffector assembly with the handpiece urges a portion of the handpieceinto contact with the second portion to pivot the second portion,thereby pivoting the first portion to disengage the first portion fromthe proximal hub housing.

A method of assembling a tissue resection device for use provided inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes obtaining anend effector assembly including a proximal hub housing, a inner drivecore, a cutting member engaged with the inner drive core, and a lock andrelease mechanism disposed in a locked condition rotationally fixing theinner drive core and the proximal hub housing relative to one anotherthereby rotationally locking the cutting member. The method furtherincludes engaging the end effector assembly with a handpiece assemblyincluding a drive rotor and a handle housing. Engaging the end effectorassembly with the handpiece includes engaging the proximal hub housingwith the handle housing, engaging the drive rotor with the inner drivecore, and transitioning the lock and release mechanism to a releaseposition enabling relative rotation between the inner drive core and theproximal hub housing thereby enabling rotation of the cutting member.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, engaging the drive rotor withthe inner drive core includes engaging splines of the drive rotor withsplines of the inner drive core.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, transitioning the lock andrelease mechanism to the release position includes urging a stop ringinto contact with a portion of the handle housing to move the stop ringfrom an engaged position to a disengaged position.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, transitioning the lock andrelease mechanism to the release position includes urging a firstportion of a lock bar into contact with a cam surface of the drive rotorto pivot a second portion of the lock bar from an engaged position to adisengaged position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects and features of the present disclosure are describedhereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein like numeralsdesignate identical or corresponding elements in each of the severalviews and:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a tissue resecting device provide in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a side view of an end effector assembly of the tissueresecting device of FIG. 1, disposed in an open position;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the end effector assembly of the tissueresecting device of FIG. 1, disposed in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of a portion of thetissue resecting device of FIG. 1 illustrating the end effector assemblypartially inserted into a handpiece assembly of the tissue resectingdevice with a lock and release mechanism of the end effector assemblydisposed in a locked condition;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of a portion of thetissue resecting device of FIG. 1 illustrating the end effector assemblyengaged with the handpiece assembly with the lock and release mechanismdisposed in a release condition;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a proximal portion of the end effectorassembly of the tissue resecting device of FIG. 1 illustrating the lockand release mechanism in the locked condition;

FIG. 5B is a side view of a proximal portion of the end effectorassembly of the tissue resecting device of FIG. 1 illustrating the lockand release mechanism in the locked condition;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a proximal portion of the end effectorassembly of the tissue resecting device of FIG. 1 illustrating the lockand release mechanism in the release condition;

FIG. 6B is a side view of a proximal portion of the end effectorassembly of the tissue resecting device of FIG. 1 illustrating the lockand release mechanism in the release condition; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating another lock and releasemechanism configured for use with the tissue resecting device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to FIG. 1, a tissue resecting device 10 provided inaccordance with the present disclosure and configured to resect tissueincludes an end effector assembly 100 and a handpiece assembly 200.Tissue resecting device 10 is adapted to connect to a control unit (notshown), e.g., via cable 230, to provide power and control functionalityto tissue resecting device 10, although tissue resecting device 10 mayalternatively or additionally include controls associated with handpieceassembly 200 and/or a power source, e.g., battery, disposed withinhandpiece assembly 200. In other embodiments, tissue resecting device 10is manually powered and/or controlled. Tissue resecting device 10 isfurther adapted to connect to a fluid management system (not shown),e.g., via outflow tubing 240, for removing fluid, tissue, and debrisfrom a surgical site via tissue resecting device 10. The control unitand fluid management system may be integral with one another, coupled toone another, or separate from one another.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, tissue resecting device 10 may beconfigured as a single-use device that is discarded after use or sent toa manufacturer for reprocessing, a reusable device capable of beingcleaned and/or sterilized for repeated use by the end-user, or apartially-single-use, partially-reusable device. With respect topartially-single-use, partially-reusable configurations, handpieceassembly 200 may be configured as a cleanable/sterilizable, reusablecomponent, while end effector assembly 100 is configured as asingle-use, disposable/reprocessable component. In either of the aboveconfigurations, end effector assembly 100 is configured to releasablyengage handpiece assembly 200 to facilitate disposal/reprocessing of anysingle-use components and cleaning and/or sterilization of any reusablecomponents. Further, enabling releasable engagement of end effectorassembly 100 with handpiece assembly 200 allows for use of different endeffector assemblies with handpiece assembly 200.

End effector assembly 100 includes a proximal hub housing 110, anelongated outer shaft 120 fixedly engaged with and extending distallyfrom proximal hub housing 110, an inner cutting shaft 130 movabledisposed within elongated outer shaft 120, and an inner drive core 140,and a lock and release mechanism 150. Inner drive core 140 is operablydisposed within proximal hub housing 110 and coupled to inner cuttingshaft 130 such that rotational input imparted to inner drive core 140,e.g., via handpiece assembly 200, drives rotation of inner cutting shaft130 within and relative to elongated outer shaft 120. In embodiments,inner cutting shaft 130 may be configured to additionally oralternatively reciprocate relative to elongated outer shaft 120. Lockand release mechanism 150, as detailed below, is configured toselectively lock and release inner drive core 140, thereby selectivelylocking and releasing inner cutting shaft 130.

Proximal hub housing 110 of end effector assembly 100 includes an outerhousing 112 and an inner housing 114 disposed in fixed orientationrelative to one another, e.g., fixedly engaged with one another. Inembodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a distal end portion ofinner housing 114 is disposed within and engaged to a proximal portionof outer housing 112 with inner housing 114 extending proximally fromouter housing 112, although other configurations are also contemplated.Regardless of the particular configuration of outer housing 112 andinner housing 114, outer housing 112 and/or inner housing 114 isconfigured to releasably engage handle housing 210 of handpiece assembly200, e.g., via snap-fit, threaded, luer-lock, lock-button, or othersuitable engagement, and may be configured for fixed engagement withhandle housing 210 or rotational engagement therewith.

Elongated outer shaft 120 of end effector assembly 100 includes aproximal end portion 122 extending into and fixedly engaged withinproximal hub housing 110, e.g., engaged with outer or inner housing 112,114, respectively. With additional reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B,elongated outer shaft 120 extends distally from proximal hub housing 110to distal end portion 124 defining a closed distal end 126 and a window128 proximally-spaced from closed distal end 126. Window 128 providesaccess to the interior of elongated outer shaft 120 and may besurrounded by a cutting edge 129 about the outer perimeter of window 128so as to facilitate cutting of tissue passing through window 128 andinto elongated outer shaft 120. Alternatively, edge 129 may be blunt.

Inner cutting shaft 130 includes a proximal end portion 132 and a distalend portion 134 defining a closed distal end 136 and a window 138proximally-spaced from closed distal end 136. The edge of inner cuttingshaft 130 surrounding window 138 defines a cutting blade 139 tofacilitate cutting of tissue passing through window 138 and into innercutting shaft 130. Inner cutting shaft 130 is rotatable relative toelongated outer shaft 120. Inner cutting shaft 130 may be continuouslyrotated in a single direction or may be configured to reverse and movein opposite directions. In either configuration, rotation of innercutting shaft 130 relative to elongated outer shaft 120 defines at leastone open position of end effector assembly 100 (see FIG. 2A), whereininner cutting shaft 130 is oriented relative to elongated outer shaft120 such that window 138 at least partially overlaps window 128, thusenabling fluid communication therebetween, and at least one closedposition of end effector assembly 100 (see FIG. 2B), wherein innercutting shaft 130 is oriented relative to elongated outer shaft 120 suchthat window 138 does not radially overlap window 128, thus inhibitingfluid communication therebetween. In the at least one open position,cutting blade 139 is exposed; in the at least one closed position,cutting blade 139 is not exposed. As detailed below, lock and releasemechanism 150 is configured to lock inner cutting shaft 130 in a closedposition, e.g., the position illustrated in FIG. 2B, prior to engagementof end effector assembly 100 with handpiece assembly 200 and to releasecutting shaft 130 once end effector assembly 100 is engaged withhandpiece assembly 200.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 5A, and 6A, inner drive core 140 of endeffector assembly 100 includes a generally cylindrical body 142 defininga lumen 144 extending longitudinally therethrough. Body 142 includes aproximal portion 143 a and a distal portion 143 b. Proximal portion 143a of body 142 includes a plurality of splines 146 radially-spaced aboutthe interior of body 142 and, thus, radially surrounding a proximalportion of lumen 144. Proximal portion 143 a of body 142 extendsproximally from proximal hub housing 110 of end effector assembly 100.Distal portion 143 b of body 142 extends distally through inner housing114 of proximal hub housing 110 and is (directly or indirectly) fixedlyengaged with proximal end portion 132 of inner cutting shaft 130 (seeFIG. 3) within inner housing 114. As such, rotation of body 142 impartsrotation to inner cutting shaft 130. Inner drive core 140 furtherincludes a collar 148 disposed about a proximal portion of body 142 andfixed relative thereto. Collar 148 includes a protrusion 149 extendingradially outwardly therefrom.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 5A, and 6A, lock and releasemechanism 150 of end effector assembly 100 includes a proximal stop ring152, a distal stop ring 154 rotationally fixed relative to proximal stopring 152, and a biasing member 156 disposed between proximal and distalstop rings 152, 154, respectively. Proximal stop ring 152 defines arecess 153 and, in an at-rest position of biasing member 156, isradially disposed about collar 148 of inner drive core 140 withprotrusion 149 of collar 148 received within recess 153, thus rotatablyfixing inner drive core 140 relative to proximal stop ring 152. Distalstop ring 154 is fixed relative to inner housing 114 of proximal hubhousing 110, e.g., via molding, adhering, compression-fitting, seating,etc. distal stop ring 154 over or within a proximal portion of innerhousing 114, although other suitable methods or manners of fixing distalstop ring 154 relative to inner housing 114 of proximal hub housing 110are also contemplated.

Biasing member 156 may be a living hinge formed integrally with proximaland distal stop rings 152, 154, respectively, e.g., formed as a singlemolded component, although biasing member 156 may alternatively beformed separately from either or both of proximal and distal stop rings152, 154, respectively, and/or may be any other suitable biasing membersuch as, for example, a compression spring. Biasing member 156 isconfigured to bias proximal stop ring 152 relative to distal stop ring154 towards an at-rest position wherein, as noted above, proximal stopring 152 is radially disposed about collar 148 of inner drive core 140with protrusion 149 of collar 148 received within recess 153, thusrotatably fixing inner drive core 140 relative to proximal stop ring152. In embodiments, the protrusion and recess may be reversed, e.g.,where the protrusion extends from proximal stop ring 152 and therecesses is defined within collar 148.

As detailed above, the receipt of protrusion 149 of collar 148 withinrecess 153 of proximal stop ring 152 in the at-rest position of biasingmember 156 rotatably fixes inner drive core 140 and, thus, inner cuttingshaft 130, relative to proximal stop ring 152. Further, as also detailedabove, proximal and distal stop rings 152, 154, respectively, arerotationally fixed relative to one another, and distal stop ring 154 isrotationally fixed relative to inner housing 114 of proximal hub housing110 and, thus, elongated outer shaft 120. Thus, in the at-rest positionof biasing member 156, inner cutting shaft 130 is locked relative toelongated outer shaft 120. In embodiments, protrusion 149 and recess 153are oriented such that inner cutting shaft 130 is locked in a closedposition relative to elongated outer shaft 120, e.g., wherein window 138does not radially overlap window 128, thus inhibiting fluidcommunication therebetween, and wherein cutting blade 139 is notexposed.

With momentary reference to FIGS. 4, 5B, and 6B, upon engagement of endeffector assembly 100 with handpiece assembly 200, as detailed below,proximal stop ring 152 is moved towards distal stop ring 154, and, as aresult, biasing member 156 is compressed. This movement of proximal stopring 152 is also relative to inner drive core 140, such that thismovement of proximal stop ring 152 towards distal stop ring 154displaces proximal stop ring 152 from about collar 148, thus displacingprotrusion 149 from recess 153 and, in turn, releasing inner drive core140 to permit rotation of inner cutting shaft 130 relative to elongatedouter shaft 120.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, handpiece assembly 200 generallyincludes a handle housing 210, a drive assembly 220 disposed withinhandle housing 210, cable 230, and outflow tubing 240. Handle housing210, as detailed above, is configured to releasably engage proximal hubhousing 110 of end effector assembly 100, and defines a pistol-gripconfiguration, although other configurations are also contemplated.Handpiece assembly 200 may further include one or more controls (notshown) disposed on or operably associated with handle housing 210 tofacilitate activation of drive assembly 220 in a desired manner.

Drive assembly 220 includes a distal drive rotor 222 and a motor 224that drives rotation of distal drive rotor 222. Distal drive rotor 222includes a plurality of splines (not explicitly shown, similar tosplines 1226 of distal drive rotor 1222 (FIG. 7)) radially-spaced aboutthe exterior thereof that are configured to mate with splines 146 ofbody 142 of inner drive core 140 of end effector assembly 100 uponengagement of end effector assembly 100 with handpiece assembly 200 tothereby engage distal drive rotor 222 and inner drive core 140 with oneanother. Cable 230 provides power and/or control signals to motor 224 tocontrol rotation of distal drive rotor 222.

Outflow tubing 240 is configured such that, with end effector assembly100 engaged with handle housing 210, outflow tubing 240 communicateswith the internal lumen of inner cutting shaft 130 (see arrow “F” inFIG. 4) of end effector assembly 100 to receive resected tissue as wellas fluid and other debris withdrawn from an internal surgical siteduring use. Outflow tubing 240 is configured to ultimately connect to acollection canister (not shown) or other suitable collection reservoirfor collecting the tissue, fluid, and debris withdrawn from the internalsurgical site.

Referring generally to FIGS. 2B, 3, 5A, and 6A, as noted above, prior toengagement of end effector assembly 100 with handpiece assembly 200,inner cutting shaft 130 is locked relative to elongated outer shaft 120in a closed position (see FIG. 2B) via the bias of biasing member 156retaining proximal stop ring 152 about collar 148 of inner drive core140 with protrusion 149 of collar 148 received within recess 153.

In order to engage end effector assembly 100 with handpiece assembly200, end effector assembly 100, lead by inner drive core 140, isinserted into handle housing 210 of handpiece assembly 200. Withadditional reference to FIGS. 4, 5B, and 6B, upon further insertion ofend effector assembly 100 into handpiece assembly 200, inner drive core140 is slid about distal drive rotor 222 such that the splines (notshown) of distal drive rotor 222 engage splines 146 of body 142 of innerdrive core 140 to thereby rotatably engage distal drive rotor 222 andinner drive core 140 with one another.

As inner drive core 140 is slid about distal drive rotor 222 to engagedistal drive rotor 222, proximal stop ring 152 is moved into contactwith a shoulder 212 defined on the interior of handle housing 210 ofhandpiece assembly 200. Shoulder 212 inhibits further proximal movementof proximal stop ring 152 into handle housing 210 and, thus, as innerdrive core 140 is slid further about distal drive rotor 222 to engagedistal drive rotor 222, rather than proximal stop ring 152 advancingproximally therewith, proximal stop ring 152 remains stationary andbiasing member 156 compresses to enable the continued proximal movementof inner drive core 140 (and distal stop ring 154) relative to proximalstop ring 152 until end effector assembly 100 is engaged with handpieceassembly 200.

The above-detailed proximal movement of inner drive core 140 (and distalstop ring 154) relative to proximal stop ring 152, enabled by thecompression of biasing member 156, results in the displacement ofproximal stop ring 152 from about collar 148, thus displacing protrusion149 from recess 153. In this manner, lock and release mechanism 150 nolonger constrains inner drive core 140; rather, inner drive core 140 ispermitted to rotate, thus permitting rotation of inner cutting shaft 130relative to elongated outer shaft 120. Accordingly, upon engagement ofend effector assembly 100 and handpiece assembly 200, lock and releasemechanism 150 releases inner drive core 140 and inner drive core 140 isengaged with distal drive rotor 222. Thus, with end effector assembly100 engaged with handpiece assembly 200, motor 224 may be activated todrive rotation of distal drive rotor 222, thereby driving rotation ofinner cutting shaft 130 relative to elongated outer shaft 120.

Once tissue resecting device 10 is assembled, e.g., once end effectorassembly 100 is engaged with handpiece assembly 200 as detailed above,tissue resecting device is ready for use. In use, tissue resectingdevice 10 is positioned within an internal body cavity or organ, e.g., auterus, such that the distal end portion of end effector assembly 100 ispositioned adjacent tissue to be removed. Tissue resecting device 10 maybe inserted through an endoscope, e.g., a hysteroscope, or other device,or may be used independently.

Once tissue resecting device 10 is positioned as desired adjacent tissueto be removed, tissue resecting device 10 is activated. Activation oftissue resecting device 10 drives motor 224 which rotationally drivesdrive rotor 222. Rotation of drive rotor 222, in turn, drives rotationof inner cutting shaft 130 relative to elongated outer shaft 120.Activation of tissue resecting device 10 also serves to activate suctionthrough outflow tubing 240, thereby applying suction through innercutting shaft 130. With such suction applied, tissue is drawn throughwindow 128 of elongated outer shaft 120 and window 138 of inner cuttingshaft 130, while edge 129 and/or cutting blade 139 facilitates cuttingof tissue as a result of the rotation of windows 128, 138 relative toone another. The suction also draws fluid and debris through innercutting shaft 130. The tissue, fluid, and debris suctioned through innercutting shaft 130 travel proximally through inner cutting shaft 130,inflow tubing 240, and ultimately, are deposited in a collectioncanister (not shown). Tissue resecting device 10 may be utilized untilthe desired tissue is removed from the internal body cavity or organ.Once the desired tissue is removed, tissue resecting device 10 may bedeactivated and removed from the surgical site. Thereafter, end effectorassembly 100 may be disengaged from handpiece assembly 200 and discarded(or sent for reprocessing), while handpiece assembly 200 is cleanedand/or sterilized for reuse.

Referring to FIG. 7, another embodiment of a lock and release mechanism1150 configured for use with a tissue resection device 1000 similar totissue resection device 10 of FIGS. 1-6B (except as explicitlycontradicted hereinbelow) is detailed. Lock and release mechanism 1150includes a lock bar 1152 supported within a slot 1145 defined withinbody 1142 of inner drive core 1140 of end effector assembly 1100 viasupport arms 1154. Lock bar 1152 includes a proximal portion 1156extending proximally from support arms 1154 and a distal portion 1158extending distally from support arms 1154. Distal portion 1158 includesa protrusion 1159 extending therefrom. In an at-rest position of lockbar 1152, distal portion 1158 is positioned such that protrusion 1159extends into a recess 1118 defined within a lock ring 1116 fixedrelative to inner housing 1114 of end effector assembly 1100. As such,in the at-rest position of lock bar 1152, inner drive core 1140 is fixedrelative to inner housing 1114 and, thus the inner cutting shaft (notexplicitly shown, similar to inner cutting shaft 130 (FIGS. 1-2B)) isfixed relative to the elongated outer shaft (not explicitly shown,similar to elongated out shaft 110 (FIGS. 1-2B)). Inner drive core 1140further includes a plurality of splines 1146 radially-spaced about theinterior of a proximal portion of body 1142.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 7, distal drive rotor 1222 of driveassembly 1220 includes a plurality of splines 1226 formed on theexterior thereof and also includes a cam surface 1228 extendingproximally from splines 1226. Cam surface 1228 may define, for example,a frustoconical configuration, or any other suitable configuration.

As noted above, in the at-rest position of lock bar 1152, e.g., prior toengagement of end effector assembly 1100 with handpiece assembly 1200,protrusion 1159 of distal portion 1158 of lock bar 1152 extends intorecess 1118 of lock ring 1116 to fix inner drive core 1140 relative toinner housing 1114. In order to engage end effector assembly 1100 withhandpiece assembly 1200, end effector assembly 1100, lead by inner drivecore 1140, is inserted into the handle housing (not shown, similar tohandle housing 210 (FIGS. 1, 3, and 4) of handpiece assembly 200). Uponsuch insertion, inner drive core 1140 is slid about distal drive rotor1222 such that the splines 1226 of distal drive rotor 1222 engagesplines 1146 of body 1142 of inner drive core 1140 to thereby rotatablyengage distal drive rotor 1222 and inner drive core 1140 with oneanother.

As inner drive core 1140 is slid about distal drive rotor 1222 to engagedistal drive rotor 1222, proximal portion 1156 of lock bar 1152 is movedinto contact with cam surface 1228 of distal drive rotor 1222 and, uponfurther sliding of inner drive core 1140 about distal drive rotor 1222,proximal portion 1156 is urged radially outwardly from inner drive core1140, e.g., due to the frustoconical (or other suitable) configurationof cam surface 1228. This radial outward urging of proximal portion1156, in turn, pivots distal portion 1158 radially inwardly into innerdrive core 1140, thus withdrawing protrusion 1159 of distal portion 1158of lock bar 1152 from recess 1118 of lock ring 1116 and, as a result,releasing inner drive core 1140. Accordingly, upon engagement of endeffector assembly 1100 and handpiece assembly 1200, lock and releasemechanism 1150 releases inner drive core 1140 and inner drive core 1140is engaged with distal drive rotor 1222.

As an alternative to handpiece assembly 200 (FIG. 1) and/or handpieceassembly 1200 (FIG. 7) configured for manual grasping and manipulationduring use, tissue resecting devices 10, 1000 may alternatively beconfigured for use with a robotic surgical system wherein the endeffector assembly 100, 1100 is configured to engage a robotic arm of therobotic surgical system in a similar manner as detailed above withrespect to engagement of end effector assemblies 100, 11100 withhandpiece assemblies 200, 1200, respectively. The robotic surgicalsystem may employ various robotic elements to assist the surgeon andallow remote operation (or partial remote operation). More specifically,various robotic arms, gears, cams, pulleys, electric and mechanicalmotors, etc. may be employed for this purpose and may be designed withthe robotic surgical system to assist the surgeon during the course ofan operation or treatment. The robotic surgical system may includeremotely steerable systems, automatically flexible surgical systems,remotely flexible surgical systems, remotely articulating surgicalsystems, wireless surgical systems, modular or selectively configurableremotely operated surgical systems, etc.

The robotic surgical system may be employed with one or more consolesthat are next to the operating theater or located in a remote location.In this instance, one team of surgeons or nurses may prep the patientfor surgery and configure the robotic surgical system with the surgicaldevice disclosed herein while another surgeon (or group of surgeons)remotely control the surgical device via the robotic surgical system. Ascan be appreciated, a highly skilled surgeon may perform multipleoperations in multiple locations without leaving his/her remote consolewhich can be both economically advantageous and a benefit to the patientor a series of patients.

The robotic arms of the robotic surgical system are typically coupled toa pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved bythe surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the working ends ofany type of surgical instrument (e.g., end effectors, graspers, knifes,scissors, cameras, fluid delivery devices, etc.) which may complementthe use of the tissue resecting devices described herein. The movementof the master handles may be scaled so that the working ends have acorresponding movement that is different, smaller or larger, than themovement performed by the operating hands of the surgeon. The scalefactor or gearing ratio may be adjustable so that the operator cancontrol the resolution of the working ends of the surgicalinstrument(s).

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, asit is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art willallow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely as examplesof particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision othermodifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example, for purposes of clarity orunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tissue resecting device, comprising: ahandpiece assembly including a drive rotor; and an end effectorassembly, including: a proximal hub housing; an inner drive core atleast partially disposed within the proximal hub housing; a cuttingmember extending distally from the proximal hub housing and engaged withthe inner drive core such that rotation of the inner drive core rotatesthe cutting member; and a lock and release mechanism operably coupledbetween the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing, the lock andrelease mechanism transitionable between a locked condition rotationallyfixing the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing relative to oneanother thereby rotationally locking the cutting member, and a releasecondition enabling relative rotation between the inner drive core andthe proximal hub housing thereby enabling rotation of the cuttingmember, wherein engagement of the end effector assembly with thehandpiece operably engages the drive rotor with the inner drive core andtransitions the lock and release mechanism from the locked condition tothe release condition.
 2. The tissue resecting device according to claim1, wherein the lock and release mechanism includes a first portion and asecond portion rotationally fixed relative to the first portion, andwherein: in the locked condition, the first portion is rotationallyfixed relative to the inner drive core and the second portion isrotationally fixed relative to the proximal hub housing, and in therelease condition, the first portion is rotatable relative to the innerdrive core or the second portion is rotatable relative to the proximalhub housing.
 3. The tissue resecting device according to claim 2,wherein engagement of the end effector assembly with the handpiece urgesa portion of the handpiece into contact with one of the first portion orthe second portion, thereby decoupling fixed rotation of the firstportion relative to the inner drive core or decoupling fixed rotation ofthe second portion relative to the proximal hub housing.
 4. The tissueresecting device according to claim 2, wherein the first portionincludes a first stop ring and the second portion includes a second stopring, and wherein engagement of the end effector assembly with thehandpiece urges the first stop ring relative to the second stop ring,thereby decoupling the first stop ring from fixed relation relative tothe inner drive core.
 5. The tissue resecting device according to claim4, wherein the lock and release mechanism further includes a biasingmember disposed between the first and second stop rings and configuredto bias the first stop ring towards a position establishing fixedrotational relation between the first stop ring and the inner drivecore.
 6. The tissue resecting device according to claim 4, wherein theinner drive core further includes a body extending proximally from theproximal hub housing and defining a lumen having at least one splineradially disposed about a proximal portion of the lumen, the at leastone spline configured to engage the drive rotor.
 7. The tissue resectingdevice according to claim 6, wherein the inner drive core furtherincludes a collar fixedly coupled to a proximal end portion of the body,the collar having a protrusion extending radially outwardly from thecollar and configured to be received in a recess of one of the first orsecond stop rings.
 8. The tissue resecting device according to claim 4,wherein the lock and release mechanism further includes a biasing memberdisposed between the first and second stop rings and configured to biasthe lock and release mechanism towards the locked condition.
 9. Thetissue resecting device according to claim 8, wherein the first stopring, the second stop ring, and the biasing member are integrally formedas a single piece.
 10. The tissue resecting device according to claim 1,wherein the lock and release mechanism is biased towards the lockedcondition.
 11. The tissue resecting device according to claim 1, furthercomprising an elongated outer shaft fixed relative to and extendingdistally from the proximal hub housing, wherein the cutting member isreceived within the elongated outer shaft, rotationally fixed relativeto the elongated outer shaft in the locked condition, and rotatablerelative to the elongated outer shaft in the release condition.
 12. Thetissue resecting device according to claim 11, wherein the elongatedouter shaft defines an outer window and the cutting member defines acutting blade, and wherein, in the locked condition, the cutting bladeis inaccessible through the outer window.